In a speech to the Indian Parliament today, President Obama expressed support for the idea that India should have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Specifically, President Obama was quoted as saying:
"Indeed, the just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate. . . That is why I can say today, in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a permanent member. . . And so we look forward to working with India, and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership, to ensure that the Security Council is effective; . . . that resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced; and that we strengthen the international norms which recognize the rights and responsibilities of all nations and individuals."
In other proposals to reform the UNSC to make it better reflect current political realities, some have suggested the creation of more permanent seats, but have not always suggested that these new permanent seats be accompanied by veto rights. President Obama did not expressly state whether India should have the same veto rights as the current five permanent members of the UNSC. China is a permanent member with a veto and may not support the addition of India, its competitor in the Asian region. Pakistan, too, is likely to be uncomfortable with further legitimizing India's growing strength given the history between those two countries. In addition, expanding the UNSC to include India as a permanent member will likely revive the long-standing claims of other powerful countries such as Brazil, Germany and Japan., as President Obama's reference to "other nations that aspire to Security Council membership" acknowledges.
(cgb)